NALED and Fira de Barcelona Sign Three-Year Cooperation Agreement

Key Figures SCEWC25.pdf

NALED and Fira de Barcelona, the organiser of the Smart City Expo World Congress, have signed a three-year cooperation agreement that will enable NALED members to participate under preferential terms in one of the world’s leading international events dedicated to digital transformation and smart cities.

This year’s event will take place from 3 to 5 November at Fira Barcelona – Gran Via. The organisers expect more than 27,000 participants from the public and private sectors, representatives of nearly 1,000 cities from 138 countries, and around 1,190 exhibitors. The programme comprises four main segments: the congress, the exhibition, the Innovation Playground for start-ups and technology entrepreneurship, and a series of accompanying events and activities.

The key topics include artificial intelligence and digital technologies, energy and environmental protection, sustainable mobility, governance and the economy, social inclusion, smart infrastructure and buildings, and the blue economy.

The new partnership between NALED and Fira de Barcelona will allow local governments from Serbia to learn about proven smart city technologies and the experiences of other cities. It will also create new opportunities for companies to present innovative solutions to international buyers, build business connections and take part as exhibitors.

The cooperation also includes support from the organisers in preparing future Serbian delegations, study visits and international initiatives aimed at developing smarter, more sustainable and citizen-friendly cities.

Since 2011, the Smart City Expo World Congress has brought together representatives of global companies, national and local authorities, international organisations, academia, start-ups and experts, with the aim of transforming urban challenges into practical solutions, partnerships and opportunities for cooperation.

Last year’s event attracted more than 27,000 participants from 143 countries. Particular emphasis was placed on the use of artificial intelligence as a tool for more sustainable and efficient urban development.

The cooperation is being implemented through the “Towards Smart, Green and Sustainable Cities in Serbia” project, carried out by GIZ with the support of NALED and in cooperation with local governments and private-sector partners Intracom Telecom and Telegroup.